Anna B. Duerksen
Married Name:
Anna Duerksen Krause
Born: August 13, 1874
Place: Gnadenthal, South Russia
Died: May 19, 1921
Place: Marion County, Kansas
MOTHER:
Aganetha Balzer
FATHER:
Johann Duerksen
SIBLINGS:
Maria B. Duerksen
Johann J. Duerksen
Heinrich J. Duerksen
Helena B. Duerksen
Peter J. Duerksen
Katherina B. Duerksen
Jacob J. Duerksen (1/16/1867-1/25/1867)
Cornelius Duerksen
Aganetha Duerksen
Gerhard J. Duerksen
Eva B. Duerksen
Susanna B. Duerksen
David B. Duerksen
SPOUSE:
John J. Krause (2/6/1870 - 5/18/1966)
Married: September 9, 1893
Place: Marion County, Kansas
CHILDREN:
Jacob D. Krause (10/8/1894 - 3/18/1966)
David D. Krause (7/1/1896 - 6/17/1936)
Johann D. Krause (1/12/1898 - Unknown)
Aganetha Krause (3/8/1900 - Unknown)
Edwin Krause (11/12/1901 - Unknown)
Anna Krause (6/8/1905 - 1/26/1969)
Sara Krause (4/4/1907 - Unknown)
Clarence Krause (9/6/1909 - Unknown)
Isabella Krause (12/30/1911 - Unknown)
A TRIBUTE TO JOHN J. and ANNA B. (DUERKSEN) KRAUSE
Written by Granddaughter Judith Krause Unruh
Grandfather was a patriarch, a big man who stood tall among his sons. He was a man who was often silent, he kept his own counsel. He worked hard building his farm us, depending mostly on the wheat crop for a livelihood. Al his life he was also secure enough to perform the more demeaning chores around the yard and house without loss of self-esteem.
He could be stern, almost harsh in reprimanding a young grandchild who was doing something dangerous or unwise. He enjoyed having them with him even asking those as young as 6 or 8 to assist him in tasks around the farm. Thus his grandchildren knew their welfare held high priority in his mind. They, in turn, loved and had great respect for him.
Back Row: John J., John, Jacob, David, Anna
Front Row: Anna, Aganetha, Edwin
Our Grandfather, John Krause, was born in the Molotschna Colony, South Russia, to Jacob Krause and Anna Pankratz Buller on February 2, 1870. As a child of 4 he weathered the immigrations of his people to Kansas and those first hard years of pioneer life. The family lived in Spring Valley Township, McPherson County.
After his mother’s death in 1891 his father married Aganetha Balzer Duerksen. This brought him into a rather close acquaintance with Anna Duerksen. On Marcy 9, 1893, they changed their relationship from stepbrother and sister to husband and wife. They established their home among the Happy Hills in Menno Township, Marion County, Kansas. Here their 9 children were born and grew to adulthood.
Grandmother, of necessity, worked long, hard hours. Even when her babies were tiny she helped with wheat shocking. She had little time for the leisure activities we would call hobbies.
She died before ever holding a grandchild in her arms. In the spring of 1921 she became ill with gallbladder disease and died following surgery at Bethel Deaconess Hospital. Grandmother had given her children a solid start in life, she had taught them to pray.
Great-Grandfather, Jacob Krause, died that same summer, July 21, 1921. Some lonely times followed. But one by one the children married and grandfather watched a new generation begin to arrive. When his family would be gathered and everyone was sitting around telling stories and visiting, he would tilt his chair back, coffee cup in hand, absorbing all that went on, allowing the talk to flow over him.
His great source of strength was the time he spent in private worship and reflection. In the evening he would go to his room, open his hymnbook, and begin to sing the great hymns of faith. His voice was strong and full and could be heard all through the house. One of his favorite hymns was “Homesick for Heaven”. His Bible shows evidence of study, with his notes in the margins.
In 1936 Grandfather was in Bethel Deaconess for a hernia problem. He died there with his son, David, at his side, his hope of heaven realized.
Most of us never knew our grandparents, John and Anna Krause. But we have their prayer for us. It is the testament in stone on Grandmother’s grave marker. John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
